I understand I am in the minority. If I wasn't -- television wouldn't seem so bad to me. The ratings for these shows that continue year after year after year must come from somewhere. No, I haven't looked up any stats. I'm afraid if I do I might lose my faith in humanity. Personally, I just don't get it ...
I hate reality TV.
Prior to television and our 1/2 hour sitcoms there was film. During the Great Depression of the 1930's there was a phenomenon happening across North America in regards to film. Even though every household across the USA was facing extreme hardship at the time, 60-70 million Americans still packed into the movie theatres each week to watch what Hollywood was offering. Considering that the population of the USA at the time was approx. 125 million those are huge numbers! Movies were a necessity at the time, but why? Well, it's simple. PEOPLE NEEDED AN ESCAPE FROM REALITY.
This is what film and TV are for me. A quick escape! Yes, it's always nice to sit down with a good book in hand and escape into another world via the words of a talented author, but unfortunately in today's bustling world of "go! go! go!" you don't always have the time for that. I used to enjoy being able to come home after a stressful day at work, sit down in front of my television, flip through the channels, and choose one of many shows that I fancied. Now I come home, turn on the TV, flip through the channels and go, "WTF?" I don't want to watch Honey Boo Boo or Duck Dynasty. I don't want to watch people getting stupid tattoos or a bunch of over-privileged housewives fighting over who has the better pedicure. I really do love Gordon Ramsay but after a while all his bitching gives me a headache and it's too reminiscent of some bosses I've had in the past. And I'm pretty sure George Orwell is now spinning in his grave at the realization of what his "Big Brother" concept has created for TV.
It's not that I don't somewhat understand why these shows are so popular. I did watch the first few seasons of "The Bachelor" and was very entertained. It's nice to know that there are people out there in the world more screwed up than I am! After a few seasons however, it just seems like all the same stuff with similar but different faces. It's almost like watching a remake of a classic movie that's been done very poorly. For me, the thrill has died and I just can't commit myself to the next "biggest" reality TV show on air knowing that I will bore of it after a few short seasons.
We all know that NBC, CBS and ABC are the top television networks. What I find very sad about this is that although in the past I spent much time watching shows on these networks, today there is only one show that I watch religiously which is "Criminal Minds". That's not to say that I limit myself to crime dramas or that there aren't other current shows that I like. Just not enough to come back to week after week. So I decided to check out what other people thought were the best TV shows of all time, and although they differ from site to site, one thing is VERY clear. Most people's all time favourites are not currently being aired. Thank God that didn't make me lose my faith in humanity! I can forgive people for Seinfeld but not Survivor.
There is a bright light at the end of my TV tunnel, however. There are and have been shows on other networks that were fantastic and worth the time spent watching. I'd like to believe that if these networks continue producing shows of this quality we will soon see a change in programming on all networks. Below are two of my favourite current shows & two of my favourite recent shows that I would recommend to anyone who is as sick as I am of reality TV.
CURRENT:
I hate reality TV.
Prior to television and our 1/2 hour sitcoms there was film. During the Great Depression of the 1930's there was a phenomenon happening across North America in regards to film. Even though every household across the USA was facing extreme hardship at the time, 60-70 million Americans still packed into the movie theatres each week to watch what Hollywood was offering. Considering that the population of the USA at the time was approx. 125 million those are huge numbers! Movies were a necessity at the time, but why? Well, it's simple. PEOPLE NEEDED AN ESCAPE FROM REALITY.
This is what film and TV are for me. A quick escape! Yes, it's always nice to sit down with a good book in hand and escape into another world via the words of a talented author, but unfortunately in today's bustling world of "go! go! go!" you don't always have the time for that. I used to enjoy being able to come home after a stressful day at work, sit down in front of my television, flip through the channels, and choose one of many shows that I fancied. Now I come home, turn on the TV, flip through the channels and go, "WTF?" I don't want to watch Honey Boo Boo or Duck Dynasty. I don't want to watch people getting stupid tattoos or a bunch of over-privileged housewives fighting over who has the better pedicure. I really do love Gordon Ramsay but after a while all his bitching gives me a headache and it's too reminiscent of some bosses I've had in the past. And I'm pretty sure George Orwell is now spinning in his grave at the realization of what his "Big Brother" concept has created for TV.
It's not that I don't somewhat understand why these shows are so popular. I did watch the first few seasons of "The Bachelor" and was very entertained. It's nice to know that there are people out there in the world more screwed up than I am! After a few seasons however, it just seems like all the same stuff with similar but different faces. It's almost like watching a remake of a classic movie that's been done very poorly. For me, the thrill has died and I just can't commit myself to the next "biggest" reality TV show on air knowing that I will bore of it after a few short seasons.
We all know that NBC, CBS and ABC are the top television networks. What I find very sad about this is that although in the past I spent much time watching shows on these networks, today there is only one show that I watch religiously which is "Criminal Minds". That's not to say that I limit myself to crime dramas or that there aren't other current shows that I like. Just not enough to come back to week after week. So I decided to check out what other people thought were the best TV shows of all time, and although they differ from site to site, one thing is VERY clear. Most people's all time favourites are not currently being aired. Thank God that didn't make me lose my faith in humanity! I can forgive people for Seinfeld but not Survivor.
There is a bright light at the end of my TV tunnel, however. There are and have been shows on other networks that were fantastic and worth the time spent watching. I'd like to believe that if these networks continue producing shows of this quality we will soon see a change in programming on all networks. Below are two of my favourite current shows & two of my favourite recent shows that I would recommend to anyone who is as sick as I am of reality TV.
CURRENT:
SUITS on USA Network (or Bravo in Canada) is the only show besides Criminal Minds that I make time for in my week. Lucky for me both air on Wednesday nights so I don't have to put too much aside to indulge in either of them. SUITS follows the story of some big time lawyers (and one big time fake lawyer) at the fictitious law firm of "Pearson Harvey Litt" which is the current name of the law firm, but don't blink ... it may just change again tomorrow! The quick witted, fast humour and references to older TV shows and movies reminds me a lot of another one of my old favourites, "The Gilmore Girls". I imagine that the writers of this show must be the funniest group of people to hang with. There is just something about dry humour that gets me every time, and this show has it in spades. If you haven't had a chance yet to meet Harvey Spector or Mike Ross I suggest you sit down and hop over for a visit.
House of Cards is a Netflix original series which obviously means it's not even on television and definitely helps to prove my point that nowadays, TV is definitely hurting. How will cable & satellite survive when shows like HOC are airing on the internet? House of Cards has been a shocking and delightful surprise to me! I'm a latecomer having just begun watching Season 2. Several people in the past have told me that this is a great show but I just thought, "Meh". I'm really not that into political dramas. But a storm hit recently, my office closed down, and I was stuck inside with no plan on what to do with my time. Although the thought of catching up on chores sounded extremely appealing, it also sounded boring so I opened up my IPad, clicked on Netflix and capitulated. "Kevin Spacey has never let me down before," I thought,"so why not?" How happy I am that I did! It's not often that a show takes me right in during its premiere episode but this is one of the good ones. It follows the story of corrupt Congressman Frank Underwood in his pursuit of power at The White House. What I seem to love most about this series is trying to figure out what exact mental disease(s) the Director has. A lot of series have "that thing" but HOC has several which come & go at random, the only constant one being Spacey's monologues to the audience. The symbolism used in some of the episodes is terrifically artistic. In fact, although the show is of a more serious nature I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the symbolism used at the end of Season 2, Episode 1. I won't spoil it for you. You just have to see it!
RECENTS:
RECENTS:
Oh how I so miss Dexter! What a terrific show! I understand that eight seasons is a normal run but it just wasn't enough for me. This is the type of show that when you first watch it you might say, "Umm, OK. WTF am I watching?" but once you get past all the foul mouths you realize you're taken. Dexter follows the character of Dexter Morgan, blood splatter analyst for the Miami PD by day, serial killer by night, but he's not just any serial killer. As you get to know him he begins to become relatable and the writers do an excellent job of humanizing someone who we would otherwise classify a beast. This is not accomplished solely by the fact that Dexter only kills the "bad guys", but also through flashbacks and/or hallucinations with his father, and by the ever evolving relationships with his sister, wife and young son. I must admit that for me there were a lot of predictable moments (too much Criminal Minds, I suppose) but the times that it did become unpredictable were completely & totally mind-blowing. Add in the extra "goodie" of trying to figure out at the beginning of each season which main character would get whacked before the end and you've got a hit in my books.
What wouldn't be more appealing than a modern day, drug induced version of Dr. Jekyll turning into Mr. Hyde? Breaking Bad follows the story of a meek & mild chemistry teacher named Walter White, who after finding out he has cancer and unable to afford the treatments turns into the drug lord we all loved to hate, "Heisenberg". Of course he took Jesse Pinkman, one of his stoner students, along for the trip. Oh and what a trip it was! Action, drama, intrigue, murder, corruption, and that dark humour I love so much (yes -- I understood exactly how Walt felt went that damn fly was buzzing around). There were so many great things about this show that it's impossible to pinpoint it down and explain why it was so wonderful, but a mention of the incredible acting by all the cast cannot be overlooked. A prequel called "Better Call Saul" has just begun playing on AMC. We'll have to wait and see if the magic of Breaking Bad is able to ignite any sparks into this new series.
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
Well, at least until the top tier networks begin to get a clue and start following suit.
Until then I'm in line with the smaller guys!
THAT'S ALL FOLKS!
Well, at least until the top tier networks begin to get a clue and start following suit.
Until then I'm in line with the smaller guys!